Who would ever think that popular brand baby bottles, pacifiers, and toys could possibly be dangerous to our kids health?

This week, Earth Day prompts us all to be aware of the chemicals in the environment and in our homes.

Pregnancy and early childhood are critical times in babies’ lives because they are growing and developing so rapidly. During this time they are vulnerable to elements in their environment, and we as parents should protect them as much as possible from exposure to potentially harmful substances.

PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) is a hard plastic that requires harsh chemical softeners, such as phthalates, to make it appropriate for use in soft plastic baby toys such as squirty toys.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is used in hard, clear plastics sometimes used in baby toys to prevent breakage.

In 2003 it was shown that products manufactured with PVC and BPA were shown to disrupt reproductive functions and cause other developmental problems.

Make sure your baby products are also Nitrosamine free: Nitrosamines are found in latex products such as some infant teethers. They have been shown to cause cancer in many animals. Make sure all your teethers and soothers are nitrosamine free.